FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a device for tapping a pipe. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Tapping equipment for mounting a connection to a host pipe includes a connector body that is strapped onto an outer surface of the host pipe with a saddle that extends around a circumference of the pipe. The body has an opening that receives a tool for forming a hole to provide access to the interior of the pipe. Once the hole has been formed, the tool is removed and a connection pipe or the like is fitted into the body, to provide fluid communication with an interior of the pipe. The saddle and connector body remain fixed to the pipe.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide an alternative mechanism for tapping into a pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tapping device including a body for insertion in a hole formed in a host pipe, a mechanism for securing the body to the pipe and a fitting adapted to couple to a connector in order to provide fluid communication between the host pipe and the connector. [0005] Preferably, the device further includes an insert that fits within the body and expands at least a portion of the body in order to anchor the body in the host pipe.

[0006] Preferably, the insert has a free end that forms the fitting, for coupling to the connector.

[0007] Preferably, the insert includes an external thread for threaded engagement with the body and a nut for driving the insert into the body.

[0008] Preferably, the body includes feet that engage with an inside surface of the host pipe when expanded.

[0009] Preferably, the feet are profiled to fit with a curvature of the inside surface of the host pipe.

[0010] Preferably, the body includes surface structure to embed into a wall of the hole.

[001 1 ] Preferably, the mechanism for securing the body to the pipe includes a tensioning nut threaded onto an external thread of the body.

[0012] Preferably, the device includes a seal positioned between the host pipe and the body, wherein the seal is energised by screwing the tensioning nut onto the body.

[0013] Preferably, the device includes a lock nut with a grub screw that engages a flat section formed on the body, to fix the lock nut relative to the body.

[0014] Preferably, the flat section acts as an indicator of the correct orientation of the body in the hole, such that the profiled feet nest in the curvature of the inside surface of the host pipe. [0015] In another aspect, there is provided a tapping device including a body to engage in a hole formed in a host pipe, a locking mechanism to anchor the body in the hole and a fitting adapted to couple to a connector in order to provide fluid communication between the host pipe and the connector.

[0016] Preferably, the body is in the form of a barrel for press fit in the hole.

[0017] Preferably, the locking mechanism is in the form of teeth provided on the barrel, the teeth being configured to grip against a wall surface of the hole to resist removal of the body from the hole.

[0018] Preferably, the teeth are saw-tooth or ratchet shaped to facilitate insertion but resist removal of the body into the hole.

[0019] Preferably, the body includes a longitudinal spine to embed into the wall surface and resist rotational movement of the device in the hole.

[0020] Preferably, the device includes a seal to provide a fluid tight coupling between the device and the pipe.

[0021 ] Preferably, the seal is activated upon insertion of the body into the hole.

[0022] Preferably, the body includes a shoulder section that abuts the pipe, the shoulder section having a profile to fit with an outer profile of the pipe.

[0023] Preferably, the seal is provided on an underside of the shoulder section, between the body and the pipe.

[0024] Preferably, the fitting includes a thread for screw threaded engagement with a take off connector such as a ball valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention is described by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partial section view of a device fitted to a pipe;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fitting of the device;

Figure 3a is a perspective view of another device;

Figure 3b is an exploded perspective view of the device;

Figure 4a is a perspective view of a body fitted into a pipe;

Figure 4b is a cross-sectional view of the body fitted into the pipe;

Figure 5a is a perspective view of a seal positioned over the body;

Figure 5b is a cross-sectional view of the seal and body fitted into the pipe;

Figure 6a is a perspective view of a washer and nut fitted onto the body;

Figure 6b is a cross-sectional view of the washer and nut fitted onto the body;

Figure 7a is a perspective view of the assembled device;

Figure 7b is a cross-sectional view of the device;

Figure 8a is a perspective view of the device fitted to the pipe; and Figure 8b is a cross-sectional view of the device fitted to the pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Referring firstly to Figure 1 , a tapping device 1 is shown attached to a pipe 2. The device 1 includes a base 3, a body 4 and a fitting 5.

[0027] The body 4 is in the form of a barrel 6 that is press fit into a hole 7 formed in the pipe 2. The barrel 6 has a locking mechanism 8 to anchor the body 4 in the hole 7. The locking mechanism 8 is in the form of a series of annular teeth 9 with a serrated or sawtooth profile to facilitate easy insertion into the hole 7 but resist removal of the body 4 from the hole 7.

[0028] The barrel 6 has a flared end 10 to further resist removal of the body 4 from the hole 7. The barrel 6 is preferably formed of spring metal although high strength plastics could also be used provided sufficient grip exists between the base 3 and the pipe 2.

[0029] The barrel 6 also includes at least one spine 1 1 that extends lengthwise of the barrel 6. The spine 1 1 is designed to embed in a wall 12 of the hole 7 to resist rotational movement of the device 1.

[0030] The base 3 is formed of a generally frusto-conical shape and includes a shoulder section 13 that abuts the pipe 2. The profile 14 of the shoulder section 13 matches an outer profile 15 of the pipe 2. A seal 16 is provided at an underside 17 of the shoulder section 13 to maintain a fluid tight seal between the device 1 and the pipe 2.

[0031 ] To fit the device 1 into the pipe 2, a specially designed tool can be used to initiate and insertion force to press fit the body 4 into the hole 7. Alternatively, a simple mallet can be used to provide sufficient force to drive the device 1 into place whereby the shoulder section 13 nests against the pipe 2 and the flared end 10 of the barrel 6 projects into an interior 18 of the pipe 2. [0032] The outer diameter "D" and thickness "T" of the pipe 2 are generally well defined to enable a device 1 with matching dimensions to be selected accordingly, in order for the length dimension "L" of the barrel 6 and the curved profile 14 of the shoulder section 13 to fit with the pipe 2. It should also be appreciated the thickness "T" of the pipe 2 generally increases with diameter "D" and the length "L" so the number of rows of teeth will also increase, to enhance grip between the device 1 and the pipe 2.

[0033] When the device 1 is secured in place, a take off connector 19 such as a ball valve or the like can be coupled to the fitting 5. For that purpose, the fitting 5 is threaded although any other suitable form of connection could be used instead.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the thread 20 is formed centrally of an upper housing 21 that is preferably formed of non-ferrous material for corrosion resistance. The housing 21 preferably has a plastic surround 22 formed of, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE). The body 3 of the device 1 may also be coated in HDPE.

[0035] Since a torque force will usually be needed to secure the connector 19 to the device 1 , the housing 21 is formed with a hexagonal outer profile 23 to allow a tool such as a spanner to grip the device 1 as the connector 1 is screwed into place, without interfering with the position of the body 3 relative to the pipe 2. To that end, the spine 1 1 that is embedded in the hole 7, further locks the device 1 against rotation caused when torque is applied to couple the connector 19 with the device 1.

[0036] Referring now to Figures 3a and 3b, an alternative form of device 30 is shown. The device 30 includes a body 31 with flared feet 32, a seal 33 and a tensioning mechanism 34 in the form of a tensioning nut 35 that bears against a washer 36 and lock nut 37. [0037] The device 30 also includes an insert 38 that has an external thread 39 and an integral nut 40 that is used to drive the insert 38 into the body 31 . A free end 41 of the insert 38 serves as a fitting 42 for screw threaded attachment to an external connector or coupling such as for a valve, take-off pipe or the like (not shown).

[0038] A grub screw 43 is provided in the lock nut 37. The grub screw 43 engages with a machined flat section 44 on the body 31 , to lock the nut 37 against rotation relative to the body 3 1 .

[0039 ] In order to install the device 30, the body 31 is firstly inserted into a hole 45 in a pipe 46 as illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b, so the flat section 44 of the body 3 1 is perpendicular to the pipe length. The feet 32 are profiled to fit with an inside surface of the pipe and the perpendicular orientation of the flat section 44 ensures the feet are properly aligned and nested against the complimentary inside surface of the pipe 46.

[0040] The feet 32 are preferably formed of flexible segments 47 that can be compressed together to fit through the hole 45 and subsequently allowed to expand in order to anchor the body 3 1 in place. Additionally or alternatively, the body 31 is provided with an internal thread 48 that receives the insert 38, which is used to mechanically expand the feet 32 as the insert 38 is screwed into the body 31 .

[0041 ] The body 31 preferably also has external surface structure such as serrated teeth (not shown), which is pressed into the wall 49 of the pipe 46 when a relevant portion of the body 31 is expanded by introduction of the insert 38, to provide extra grip to secure the body 31 against rotation in the hole' 45.

[0042] Referring now to Figures 5a and 5b, the next installation step is to fit the seal 33 over the body 31 . When energised, the seal 33 forms a fluid tight barrier to prevent leakage between the body 31 and the pipe 46. [0043] Referring to Figures 6a and 6b, the next step is to place the washer 36 over the body 31 followed by the nut 35, which is left loose.

[0044] With reference now to Figure 7a and 7b, the next step is to thread the locking nut 37 onto the body 31 and lock the nut 37 in place with the grub screw 43. Thread tape can then be applied to the external thread 39 on the insert 38, which is screwed into the body 31 using a spanner on the nut 40. A second spanner can be used to hold the locking nut 37 stationary, which thereby holds the body 31 against rotation to maintain the required orientation of the feet 32 against the inside surface of the pipe 46 while the insert 38 is wound into the body 31.

[0045] As the insert 38 is threaded down into the body 3 1 , the feet 32 are forced outwardly to secure the device 30 in the hole 45.

[0046] With reference to Figure 8a and 8b, one of the fixed installation steps is for the nut 35 to be tightened down onto the washer 36 to cause the seal 33 to deform against the pipe 46 and the body 31 , to provide a fluid tight seal. The grub screw 43 can then be removed and the nut 37 locked down onto the tensioning nut 35 to thereby lock the device 30 to the pipe 46.

[0047] A connector for a valve or pipe fitting (not shown) can then be attached to the free end of the insert, as required.

[0048] As may be appreciated from the above, the device 1 , 30 allows a pipe to be tapped and re-commissioned by simple fixing of the device 1 , 30 into the pipe. There is no need to place a supporting strap or saddle around the pipe to anchor the body 3, 3 1 in place, as used in the prior art. As such, the device 1 , 30 provides time and material savings. Also, since there is no necessity to fit a strap around the entire circumference of the pipe, there is no need to excavate around the pipe, in circumstances where the pipe is buried in the ground and that can lead to substantial equipment, labour and cost savings as well as avoid occupational health and safety issues associated with operating digging equipment. [0049] The invention has been described by way of non-limiting example only and many modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF PARTS

1. Device

2. Pipe

3. Body

4. Body

5. Fitting

6. Barrel

7. Hole

8. Locking mechanism

9. Teeth

10. End

1 1. Spine

12. Wall

13. Shoulder section

14. Profile

15. Outer profile

16. Seal

17. Underside

18. Interior

19. Connector

20. Thread

21. Housing

22. Surround

23. Profile

30. Device

31. Body

32. Feet

33. Seal

34. Tensioning mechanism

35. Tensioning nut . Washer. Lock nut. Insert. Thread. Nut

. End

. Fitting. Grub screw. Flat section, Hole

. Pipe

. Segment. Internal thread. Wall